In recent developments, cyber security experts have observed a surge in the use of fake ChatGPT apps luring people into paying for subscriptions fees. As per reports, it appears that anti-social elements are finding ways to trick users by taking advantage of the absence of a mobile application for the American AI Research Laboratory.
The malicious fake ChatGPT apps have infiltrated app stores despite the guidelines set by Apple and Google. Such applications are oftentimes fleeceware, as they come with hidden costs and aggressive advertisements. Following which, users are urged to sign up for the paid membership to access limited features that offer far less than what the user expects. Fake reviews have further influenced buyers and thus, the popularity of such apps has kept on rising.
Recently, Sophos the shared the names of six such fake ChatGPT apps that have shown up in the App Store. It is noteworthy that they tend to charge exorbitant fees from the user ranging from $10 to $70 a year in an attempt to gain profitable in-app subscriptions. It has been reported that a similar app called Ask AI Assistant, available in iOS, generated over $10,000 in March 2021 by charging its users $6 per week or $312 annually.
The news about such fake applications has prompted the CEOs of AI Research Lab like Sam Altman to appear in the US Senate in order to advocate and determine regulations to protect users from fraud. On the other hand, companies like OpenAI are introducing plugins and benefits such as web browser accessibility to their plus members.
It is of utmost importance to stress that a standalone mobile ChatGPT app does not exist and therefore, deleting any app that claims to offer ChatGPT-like services is always the safest bet.
